Southern Alberta Council on Public Affairs (SACPA)

Basic income in Canada has been debated since at least the 1930s during the Social Credit movement, but as in other parts of the western world, the discussion has increased during the last decades. Different models can be considered such as a Guaranteed Annual Income (GAI), Social Dividend or Basic Income. William Aberhart, Premier of Alberta, was inspired by Major C. H. Douglas Social Credit theory and tried to implement a basic income for Albertans during the 1930s but was thwarted in his attempts by the Federal Government. The (GAI) model was tested in Manitoba in the 1970s in what was called the Mincome experiment. It allowed every participating family unit to receive a minimum cash benefit, with every dollar earned over the benefit amount taxed back at varying (experimented) levels. There are some obvious impediments to the implementation of a (GAI) in Canada. For example, how would such a program impact work incentives? What would the program cost? What model is likely to be politically acceptable? W